The Canon EOS R6 III screams ‘sensible upgrade’ for pro hybrid shooters – and that should worry Sony and Nikon

3 hours ago 4

(Image credit: Canon)

Key upgrades include higher resolution 32MP stills and 7K video
Available for £2,799.99 (about $3,150 / AU$5,500), or in one of two lens kits
For now, the EOS R6 Mark II remains available for a much lower price

Canon has unveiled the EOS R6 Mark III – its latest mid-range full-frame mirrorless camera, with upgraded photo and video skills.

It comes almost three years after the EOS R6 Mark II and improves on that model with a 32MP sensor that's likewise equipped with 5-axis stabilization, plus higher-resolution 7K video.

For reference, the EOS R6 Mark II shoots 24MP stills and 4K video, so the latest model is clearly a step up for detail-hungry creators, especially since it's also the first EOS R camera to shoot open-gate video.

Those open gate 7K video skills are inherited from the recent Canon EOS C50 cinema camera – the smallest entry-level model in Canon's range.

Like before, and despite increased resolution, high-speed action photography can be captured at 12fps using the mechanical shutter or up to 40fps with the electronic shutter. Together with pre-capture for up to 20 shots with the shutter half-pressed ahead of starting a sequence.

Canon says the EOS R6 Mark III's expanded buffer can handle up to 150 RAW photos with the camera shooting at full speed, which means it should maintain its top speed for around 30% longer than the EOS R6 Mark II.

Canon EOS R6 Mark III camera's Register People autofocus menu

As part of refined autofocus skills, there's also the Register People Priority autofocus function (see above), as found in the EOS R5 Mark II. Users can register up to ten different people to prioritize for autofocus, which is a handy feature for sports and wedding photography, where you might want to single one person out among many.

Moving on from those image quality improvements and smattering of new features, the EOS R6 Mark III's design is practically identical to the EOS R6 Mark II.

The weather-sealed body has the exact same dimensions (though it weighs 699g to the EOS R6 II's 670g) and the same control layout, 3-inch 1.62m-dot vari-angle touchscreen, and 3.69m-dot EVF.

Its LP-E6P battery (the same used by the EOS R5 II) is backwards compatible with the EOS R6 II, but delivers fewer shots from a full charge – 390 shots to 540 (using the EVF) or 620 shots to 760 (using the LCD).

The EOS R6 Mark III (body only) costs £2,799.99 (about $3,150 / AU$5,500), or it can be purchased with RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM lens for £3,149.99 (about $3,600) or the RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM lens for £3,899.99 (about $4,500) – that's similar to the EOS R6 Mark II's launch price three years ago, and a pleasant surprise.

Canon will keep the EOS R6 Mark II on the shelves for now, and three years later, that camera has reduced in price by about 30%. If you don't need the EOS R6 Mark III's higher resolution stills and video, then the older model could still be worth considering as a cheaper alternative.

Canon EOS R6 Mark III camera with telephoto lens attached, held by male photographer in vertical orientation

The ultimate hybrid mirrorless camera?

Sony, Canon, and Nikon each have a mid-range full-frame mirrorless camera in their ranks, all of which offer a tantalizing mix of performance, quality, and price.

Until our in-depth EOS R6 Mark III review is complete, the Nikon Z6 III will continue to hold the best mirrorless camera crown, with the Sony A7 IV looking a little long in the tooth now.

That being said, the EOS R6 Mark III seems to have the ingredients to surpass the Z6 III and take the top spot. It matches the Sony A7 IV's higher-resolution stills (which outperform the Nikon Z6 III's 24MP), and edges the Z6 III for speed (which comfortably beats the Sony). It goes one step further, too, with open gate video recording and the highest resolution for video creatives.

We've not had the time needed with the EOS R6 Mark III yet to come to a conclusive verdict, but we will be sure to share our in-depth review soon. But based on the details we have and past experience with Canon cameras, the EOS R6 Mark III could just be the unremarkable update that is, in fact, the camera to beat.

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Tim is the Cameras editor at TechRadar. He has enjoyed more than 15 years in the photo video industry with most of those in the world of tech journalism. During his time as Deputy Technical Editor with Amateur Photographer, as a freelancer and consequently editor at Tech Radar, Tim has developed a deeply technical knowledge and practical experience with cameras, educating others through news, reviews and features. He’s also worked in video production for Studio 44 with clients including Canon, and volunteers his spare time to consult a non-profit, diverse stories team based in Nairobi. Tim is curious, a keen creative, avid footballer and runner, and moderate flat white drinker who has lived in Kenya and believes we have much to enjoy and learn from each other.

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